NEWS
2027: President Tinubu’s Cabinet Faces Possible Shake-Up as Ministers, Adelabu, Onyejeocha, Others Eye Governorship and National Assembly Seats
Fresh political realignments ahead of the 2027 general elections are beginning to reshape the political landscape within the cabinet of Bola Ahmed Tinubu, as several ministers are reportedly preparing to resign from their positions in pursuit of elective offices in their respective states.
Investigations reveal that at least four serving members of the Federal Executive Council are already positioning themselves for key political contests, particularly in states where incumbent governors are expected to complete their constitutionally permitted two terms by 2027.
Among the ministers whose ambitions are attracting attention are Adebayo Adelabu, the Minister of Power; Muhammad Ali Pate, the Minister of Health and Social Welfare; Yusuf Maitama Tuggar, the Minister of Foreign Affairs; and Nkeiruka Onyejeocha, the Minister of State for Labour.
The renewed political maneuvering follows the release of a revised electoral timetable by the Independent National Electoral Commission, which fixed party primaries between April 22 and May 20. Under Nigerian electoral law, political appointees are required to resign their appointments before participating in party primaries either as aspirants or delegates.
Section 88(1) of the Electoral Act 2026 provides that:
“A political appointee at any level shall not be a voting delegate or be voted for at the convention, congress, and primaries of any political party for the purpose of the nomination of candidates for any election.”
The implication of this provision is that ministers, commissioners, special advisers and other political office holders must relinquish their appointments before participating in any party’s nomination process.
ADELABU EYES OYO GOVERNORSHIP COMEBACK:
One of the most prominent figures expected to exit the cabinet is Power Minister, Adebayo Adelabu, who is widely believed to be preparing another attempt at the governorship seat of Oyo State under the platform of the All Progressives Congress.
Adelabu previously contested the governorship election but lost to the incumbent governor, Seyi Makinde of the Peoples Democratic Party in 2023.
A former Deputy Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Adelabu had contested the 2023 election on the platform of the Accord Party and has remained a key political figure in Oyo’s political calculations.
During a stakeholders’ engagement in the Nigerian Electricity Supply Industry held in Lagos late last year, Adelabu hinted at his future political plans, expressing his desire to achieve significant milestones in office “before I leave office.”
His ambition became clearer in a trending video released in October 2025, where he formally declared his intention to contest the governorship seat again.
“I have now paid my dues. I contested against Seyi (Makinde) in 2019. In 2023, I also contested against Seyi, then as the sitting governor. But in 2027, God has shown that it’s our turn. It’s Adelabu’s turn. Anything that belongs to Adelabu belongs to us all,” he said last year.
Sources indicate that political actors in Oyo State have already begun positioning themselves for a potential replacement should the minister step down from the cabinet.
Confirming the development, an aide to the minister, Femi Awogboro, said the minister had yet to receive any directive from the president regarding his resignation.
“As of now, the President has not told Adelabu to resign as minister. Only the President can tell him to resign and until that, Adelabu continues to perform his functions, but he is definitely contesting for Oyo governorship seat,” Awogboro stated.
He added that the minister would step down from office at the appropriate time in accordance with the law.
“The minister will resign at the appropriate time. Perhaps he is not the only minister in the cabinet who intends to contest in 2027. Others with political ambitions will also do the needful when the time comes. The masses should rest assured of that.”
Awogboro also noted that Adelabu had previously demonstrated his willingness to relinquish high office, recalling that he voluntarily resigned his position as Deputy Governor (Operations) at the Central Bank of Nigeria in 2018.
However, the Publicity Secretary of the APC in Oyo State, Olawale Sadare, said no aspirant had formally declared for the 2027 governorship race because the party had not yet opened the official process.
He emphasized that the party would ensure a level playing field for all interested aspirants once the political process begins.
BAUCHI GOVERNORSHIP: PATE AND TUGGAR SET FOR POTENTIAL SHOWDOWN
Political developments in Bauchi State suggest a possible high-stakes contest between two serving federal ministers.
Health Minister Muhammad Ali Pate and Foreign Affairs Minister Yusuf Maitama Tuggar are both believed to be weighing their chances for the governorship seat in the state.
Pate, who hails from Mainari village in Ajili Ward of Misau Local Government Area, has previously contested for the position.
His governorship ambition dates back to 2015 when he first expressed interest in contesting under the Peoples Democratic Party. He later ran in the 2019 election under the Peoples Redemption Party after losing the APC primary.
In 2023, he again failed to secure the APC governorship ticket.
Recent grassroots initiatives centered on youth employment and empowerment across parts of Bauchi have intensified speculation that he is preparing to return to the race.
The Coordinator of the Pate Media Centre in Dass Local Government Area, Ibrahim Abdulhamid, said the minister was persuaded by supporters to join the contest.
“A team from Bauchi that has faith in his capabilities went all the way to Abuja and sought his participation in the gubernatorial contest and he has accepted the contest.”
Another supporter, Garo Misau, described Pate as a highly qualified candidate.
“Pate is eminently qualified for the seat of governorship in Bauchi State. Not only Bauchi State; any state in the country that has a son like Professor Pate will want him to lead it. He has an international reputation of capabilities and humanitarian impact.”
Meanwhile, Foreign Affairs Minister Tuggar, who hails from Udubo in Gamawa Local Government Area, is also believed to be preparing for a run.
His Special Adviser on Media and Communications Strategy, Alkasim Abdulkadir, confirmed the minister’s interest.
“The minister is interested and aspires to run for the governorship seat of Bauchi State.”
When asked about the timing of Tuggar’s resignation from the cabinet, Abdulkadir said the minister would act in line with electoral regulations.
“There is a time table released by INEC that stipulates all the rules and regulations for running, he (Tuggar) will adhere to this.”
Supporters of the minister have also expressed confidence in his chances.
“If not Tuggar, then who do you think can? As far as I am concerned, this is the view of many people I know in Bauchi State, Tuggar is the next governor of the state,” said Ahmad Tilde, a member of the Tuggar Foundation.
Both Pate and Tuggar were reportedly present at the Bauchi State APC convention held on March 3, 2026, further fueling speculation about their political ambitions.
ONYEJEOCHA MAY RETURN TO NATIONAL ASSEMBLY
Meanwhile, the Minister of State for Labour, Nkeiruka Onyejeocha, is also said to be considering a return to legislative politics.
The Abia-born politician served for 16 years in the House of Representatives between 2007 and 2023, representing the Isuikwuato/Umunneochi federal constituency.
A credible source revealed that she may seek to return to the National Assembly in the 2027 elections.
“She was elected four times into the House of Rep and she wants to go back.”
Attempts to reach the minister for comments were unsuccessful as she neither answered calls nor responded to text messages at the time of filing the report.
INEC DISOWNS ALLEGED RESIGNATION DEADLINE
Meanwhile, the Independent National Electoral Commission has debunked reports claiming it had fixed March 26 as the deadline for ministers and other public office holders intending to contest elections to resign their appointments.
In a public notice posted on its verified social media platform, the electoral body stated:
“The commission wishes to state clearly that the information is false and did not emanate from INEC. INEC has not issued any such announcement, and the graphic being circulated is fake and misleading.”
The commission urged the public and media organisations to rely only on its official channels for credible election-related information.